Needle and awl mechanism of curved-needle sewing-machines.



F. W. MERRICK. NEEDLE AND AWL MECHANISM OF CURVED NEEDLE sEwlNe MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.12, IQIO.

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F. W. MERRICK.

NEEDLE AND AWL MECHANISM-0F CURVED NEEDLE SEWING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-12,1910.

1,182,581., Patented May 9,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Zfldnesses:

fnvenor:

@2221 Q v y QMNBQLK Worney FRANK W. MERRICK, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T UNIONLOCK STITCH COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF'IVLAINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1916.

Application filed September 12, 1910. Serial-No. 581,636.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. MERRICK, a citizen of the-United States, residing at Boston,in the county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Needle and Awl Mechanism of. Curved-Needle Sewing-Machinesfof which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to the needle and awl carriers of curved needle sewing machines, their supports and bearings, and the actuating connections thereof.

An embodiment of the various features of the invention is shown in the drawings,

in which- Figure 1 shows in side elevation, with the driving shaft in section, certain of the parts of a-curved needle sewing machine, including the said embodiment. Fig. "2, Sheet 2,

is a view showing mainly the awl-carrier and needle-carrier and the actuating connections thereof, with the parts in positions Fig. 1.

principal framework of a curved needle sew-' ingmachine is shown at 1, Fig. 1, and at 2 is represented the main shaft of the said machine, the said shaft being mounted in suitable hearings in connection with the said framework. The work-support of the machine is shown at 3, Figs. 1 and 2, and 4 is the presser between which and the said work-support the material to be operated upon is placed. Only a portion of the presser is shown.

A curved needle is shown at 5, a segmentalneedle-carrier at 6, la curved 'awl at 7, and 'a segmental awl-carrier at 8.. The needle-carrier is shown furnished with a split needle-clamp, the loose member 6 of which, Fig. 3, is provided with a screwthreaded stem 6" that passes through a hole in the body of the needle-carrier and receives at the opposite side of the latter a nut 6, by turning which the clamp may be tightened upon the needle-shank, to secure e'rated upon,

the needle, or loosened to permit the needle to be ad]usted or removed. The awl-carrier tuted awl-clamp, the latter including a loose member 7 provided with a screwthreaded stem 7 b that passes through a hole in the body of the awl-carrier, the said stem.

receiving at the opposite side of the said body a tightening nut 7. The needle carrymg portion of the segment 6 is slightly odset laterally, as shown best in Fig. 3, to" enis shown furnished with a similarly-constiable the needle to be brought into line with i the awl.

The features of the supports and bearings ofthe carriers are as follows: A supportingstud 9 is mounted in small fixed stands or cheek-pieces 10, 11, at the front of the machine framework. The said stands or cheek-pieces are formed with guide-bearings 10 11*, Figs. 3 and 4, receiving theopposite end-portions of the said stud, and within which endwise movement of the stud for the purposes of the feed of the material operated upon takes place. This movement is communicated to the studithrough the feedlever 12, Figs. 1 and' i, which s'regularly vlilbrated during, the working of the mac 1ne.,

The particular means for operating the feed-lever forms no portion of the invenv tion herein claimed. Any preferred means may be employed in practice. One of the carriers, tion the needle-carrier, hasa sleeve-like hub 6, Fig. 4, whichsurrounds a portion of the length of the supporting;

stud 9.

in this embodiment of the inveni elongated or The said hub or sleeve is combined with the stud in a manner providing for free oscillatory turning movement 'otthe carrier around the .stud, as'required for the entrance of the needle into the hole previously made by the awl in the material opthe feed. To this end, as. one feature of the invention, the stud is furnished-with and its'withdrawal from suchhole, but preventing relative movement be- 0 1 0' we I cones 9, 9 the small ends of which face each other, and the hub, 01' sleeve 6 has a,

pering enlargements of its bore at the opposite ends thereof to receive and fit the said cones. The hub or sleeve is mounted upon no i - flange which overlaps the and between the cones. Preferably, the cone 9 is fixed and integral with the stud, and provided by turning down the latter to form such cone, the remainder of the length of the stud to one end of the latter being in addition turned down to form a cylindrical portion9 of reduced diameter; and the cone 9 'made in a separate piece and adjustably connected with the reduced portion 9 of the stud beyond cone 9. The construction may vary in difierent cases. Herein, the cone 9 is sleeve-like and fits upon the said reduced portion, and the exterior of the latter and interior ofthe said cone are screw-threaded, so that the cone screws into place upon the stud.

For convenience in turning the cone 9 in screwing it on or off, and in adjusting it, the outer end thereof is constructed properly to be engaged by a suitable tool. In this instance it is slabbed oil at two sides for the reception of a wrench or the like, as shown in Fig. 3. By adjustment of the cone 9 a proper andsnug fit of the hub 6 upon the two cones may be secured. To enable the adjustable cone to be locked in adjuste'd'position, a hole is drilled lengthwise into the small end of thestud 9, and threaded, and the stem of a locking screw 13 is inserted into such hole. This locking screw is turned in until its radially-projecting flange engages with the outer end of the adjustable cone.

The large end of supporting-stud 9 is of a diameter which fills the guide-bearing 10 of the stand 10, and such portion has a slid ing fit in the said guide-bearing. The cone 9 has a cylindrical portion of the same diameter as the hub or sleeve 6 of the carrier 6, and such portion of the said cone, and a portion of the said hub or sleeve, occupy the guide-bearing 11 in the stand 11 and have a sliding fit therein. The other carrier, i. 6., the awl-carrier 7 is constructed with a cylindrical hub 7, shorter than the sleeve or hub 6 of the needle-carrier. The hub 7 d is sleeved upon the exterior of the said sleeve or hub 6 Thereby the awl-carrier is supported. As usual, the awl-carrier hascapacity for oscillating movement, as required for the entrance of the awl into the material operated upon to form a hole in such mate rial for the admission of the needle, and its withdrawal from the hole thus formed. To insure that the awl shall swing or turn always in the same plane, and prevent the awl-carrier and awl from participating in the reed-movements, a radial flange 7 is provided upon the outer end of hub 7 and a two-part or split cap 14, 14, is detachably fastened to the stand or check iece 11, the said cap having an inwardly f dcing lip or ange 7, This .cap .is in two partsor split to enable its arts to -be separated for the admission 0 the flanged portion of the hub of the awl-carrier. When the parts have been brought into proper relations and closed together properly upon the flange-portion of the hub 7 the latter and the awl-carrier and awl are free to rock or swing but cannot move transversely.

Power is transmitted to the awl-carrier through connections between the main shaft 2 and the arm 15 extending from the' awlcarrier, as presently will be explained, and movement is transmitted from the awl-can rier to the needle-carrier by means of a pin 16 carried by the needle-carrier, extending therefrom parallel with the axis about which the two carriers turn, and occupying a hole made transversely through the awl-carrier. The said pin is of a length exceeding that of the greatest extent of feed-movement, so that it always remains engaged with the awlcarrier, throughout the feed-movement of the needle-carrier and the recovery-stroke. As coupled together by means of'pin 16 and the hole it occupies in the awl-carrier, the awl-carrier and needle-carrier swing in unison about their common center or axis of rotation, while the needle-carrier and needle are permitted the transverse feed-movements. In these feed-movements the sleeve or hub 6 of the needle-carrier slides lengthwise within the hub 7 d of the awl-carrier.

It will be perceived that not only does the sleeve or hub 6 of the needle-carrier constitute an internal support for the hub 7 d of the awl-carrier, but the two sleeves or hubs bridged to reduced part of the stud 9 between the two cones 9 9", thereby reinforcing the internal support for the two carriers.

The power connections through which motion is transmitted fromthe main shaft 2 to the awl-carrier and needle-carrier, to oscillate the said carriers and the awl and needle carried thereby do not form any part of the invention. Those illustrated in the drawings, comprise a crank 17, Figs. 1 and 2, fixedly connected with the said main shaft, a link 29 in pivotal engagement by one end thereof with the said crank, a rocker r walking-beam lever having a rearwardlyextending arm 30 with which the other end of the said link is pivotally engaged and a forwardly extending arm 31, and a link 32 having one end thereof pivotally engaged at 31 with .the said'forwardly-extending arm 31 and the other end thereof pivotally engaged at 32 With the arm 15 of the awlcarrier.

For the purposes of the needle-feed, the needle must be caused to remain in the material (work) at the time of the feed-movement. The devices which have last been described are contrived with especial ref- .erence to causing the needle to occupy its meaear and tendency to springandbend 'or break the needle is obviated. In securing this action the parts are combined and arranged.

so that the center or "point of pivotal connection 31 between the forwardly-extending arm 31 of the rocker or walking-beam lever and the upper end of link 32 shall arrive close to, or at, or slightly past the line joining the center or point of connection 32* between link 32 and arm and the axis or center of movement 31* of the said rocker or walking-beam lever. Thereby a dwell, or practically a dwell, of the needle in its highest position is secured with the advantage indicated above.

In machines of this class it is usual to provide for raising the presser-foot slightly at the moment of they feed, to release the material (work) to be fed. As a result of the dwell just described of the needle in its most highly elevated position it is rendered possible to cause the needle to assume and occupy its highest position during the lifting of the Presser-foot. In the absence of the dwell, or if the lifting of the presserfoot should occur during any portion of the ascending movementof the needle, the con-- tinuance of such ascending movement would cause the needle to. raise the work with it following the raising of the presser-foot. 7 The operative. connection between the feed-lever 12 and the longitudinally-movable supporting-stud 9 of the needle-carrier,

' etc., may be variously established in pracis clamped; up

tice. As one feature of the invention I employ in the illustrated embodiment of the general invention a collar 33 which surroundsand fits a cylindrical intermediate portion of thestud. This collar is split at one side, as at 33 Fig. 3, and provided with a screw '34:- in connection with the two portions at the split, by'means of which the collar may be tightened upon to clamp it securely .thereto. The collar is furnished at the rear with ashort extension in which are formed, above and below, ta-

pering holes to receive upper and lower cone-centers constituted y the tapering ends of screws 35, 35, carried y the'forward end of feed-lever 12, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1-. -Thereby,.through the movements M which are communicated to the'feed-le'ver for the purposes ofthe feed, and through the engagement of the said lever with the clamp, and through the fact that the clamp on the stud 9, the said stud and" the needle-carrier segment mounted thereon are compelled to move in unison the stud'so as' cylindrical portion of with the feed-lever. The clam is held .frictionally upon the exterior-,0 the stud and the portion of the stud upon which the clamp is mounted is cylindrical, this construction permitting a shift or adjustment of the clamp upon the stud with the utmost .degree of nicety. This. enables. an adjust- --ment to be made of;the needle carrier segment and needle with reference to the awlcarrier segment and awl so that at the starting end of the feedthe center of the needle and the center of the awl may be brought into precisely the same plane, thereby ingated sleeve or hub whereby one carrier is supported by the hub of the other, means for holding the second carrier from transverse movement, and means for imparting a transverse reciprocatory movement to the carrier first mentioned.

.2. In a sewing machine, in combination, a supporting-stud, a curved-work-penetrat-' ing implement, a carrier therefor mounted on said stud with capacity to turn thereon, the said carrier and stud being held from independent movement length-wise of the stud, and a feed-lever connected With'said stud by means of a friction-clamp engaging with an" elongated cylindrical portion of the stud with capacity for adjustment of the stud lengthwise, whereby the plane of action of said implement may be varied.

3. In a sewing machine, in combination, a supporting-stud having opposite cones bearings, a curved work-penetrating implement, an oscillating carrier therefor having a sleeve or hub surrounding said stud and 'mounted upon and between the said conebearings, and a feed-lever adjustably connected with the said stud by. means of a friction-clamp engaging with an elongated the stud.

4. In a sewing'machine, in combination, a carrier supporting-stud, a curved needle and a curved awl, oscillating carriers for said needle and awl, one of said carriers having a sleeve or hub surrounding the said stud and mounted thereon, and the other thereof having a hub which is sleeved upon the exterior of the said sleeve or hub.

- 5. In a sewing machine, in combination, a supporting stud, a curved needle, a curved awl, oscillating carriers for said needle and awl, one of said carriers having a sleeve or hub surrounding the said stud and mounted thereon, and the other thereof having a hub which is sleeved upon the exterior of the said sleeve or hub, means for actuating one of said carriers, and means for transmitting motion from such carrier to the other thereof.

6. In a sewing machine, in combination, a carrier supporting stud, means for imparting feed-movements thereto, a curved needle, a curved awl, oscillating carriers for said needle and awl, one of said carriers having an elongated sleeve or hub surrounding the said stud and mounted thereon with capacity to turn around the same but held from independent movement lengthwise of said stud, the other'of said carriers having a hub which is sleeved upon the exterior ,of the said elongated sleeve or hub, and means for holding the latter carrier from transverse movement.

7. In asewing machine, in combination,

a supporting-stud, means for imparting feed-movements thereto, a curved needle, a curved awl, oscillating carriers for said needleand awl, one of said carriers having an elongated sleeve or hub surrounding the said stud and mounted thereon with-capacity to turn around the same but held from in-' dependent movement lengthwise of the stud, the other carrier having a hub which is sleeved upon the exterior of said elongated sleeve 0r hub, means for holding the latter carrier from partaking of the feed-movements, means for actuating one of said car =r1ers, and'means for transmltting motion from such carrier to the other thereofl 8. In a sewing machine, in combination, a supporting-stud having cone-bearings, means for communicating feed-movements to said stud, a curved needle and a curved awl, an oscillating carrier for one of the said implements having an elongated sleeve or hub surrounding said stud and mounted upon and between the said cone-bearings, an oscillating carrier for the other of said implements having a hub which is sleeved upon the said elongated sleeveior hub, and

means for holding the latter carrier from participation in the feed-movements.

9, In a sewing machine, in combination, a supporting-stud having cone-bearings,

means for communicating feed-movements to said stud, a curved needle and a curved awl, a carrier forone of said implements having an elongated sleeve or hub surrounding said stud and mounted upon and between the said cone-bearings, an oscillating carrier for the other of said implements having a hub which is sleeved upon the said elongated sleeve or hub, means for holding the latter carrier from participating in the feed-movements, means for actuating one of said carriers, and means for transmitting tween the said cone-bearings, means for im parting feed-movements to said stud, a guideearing for one portion of the stud, a guide-bearing in which said sleeve or hub and one of the cone-bearings fit, the carrier for the other implement having a hub which fits upon the sleeve or hub of the'first carrier, and means for holding the second carrier from participating in the feed-movementsa 11. In a sewing machine, in combination, a supporting-stud. having cone-bearings, a curved needle, a curved awl, carriers for said implements, one carrier having a sleeve or hub mounted upon and between the cone-bearings, means for imparting feedmovements to the stud, a guide-bearing for one portion of the stud, a guide-bearing in which said sleeve or hub and one o;f the cone-bearings fit, the. carrier for the other implement having a hub which fits upon the sleeve or hub of the first carriergmeansfor holdingthe second carrier from participating in the feed-movements, means for communicating oscillatory movement to one of the carriers, and a pin carried by such carrier, engaging with the other carrier, and transmitting oscillating movement to the latter.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses. v

FRANK W. MERRICK. Witnesses:

CHAs'. F. RANDALL, NATHAN B. DAY. 

